The National Weather Service issued an update at 4:22 p.m. Sunday that is in effect for Nassau County until 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The weather service explains: “If travel is necessary, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take necessary measures to protect property at risk of flooding. When entering the surf zone Always carry a flotation device and swim near a lifeguard. Relax and don’t swim against the current. If you are unable to escape the shore, get to the shore and scream or wave for help.

Mastering currents: your safety guide

Rip currents, fast channels of water that flow away from the shore on surfing beaches, can make a day at the beach a dangerous situation. Understanding how to react when you are in a situation is crucial. The Weather Service offers these life-saving tips:

Stay calm – they won’t get you down:

Don’t panic – currents won’t pull you under.

Go with the flow, but not towards the beach:

Trying to swim straight to the beach when caught in a current is pointless and exhausting. The current is too strong. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and away from the current’s grip.

Call for help if needed:

If you can’t reach the shore, try to relax. Turn towards the bank, step on the water and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms. This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.

Look for beaches with lifeguards:

If possible, only swim on beaches with lifeguards.

Never swim alone on unguarded beaches:

If you want to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend with you and have them carry a cell phone so they can call 911 for help.

Currents are powerful forces of nature, but knowing how to react can greatly increase your chances of navigating these challenging waters safely. Stay informed, stay vigilant and prioritize safety while surfing.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.